Sainsbury’s ain’t what it used to be

• THE February 29 letter (Car park fines at Sainsbury’s), Camden Town branch, takes the lid off what is happening there.

My wife and I, both disabled, have been shopping there since it opened almost four decades ago. An important factor was the helpfulness of staff, more important now that we have some difficulties in shopping.

We did a very large shop and found that no tills were available as we cannot use the self-checkouts. I asked a Sainsbury’s employee to open a till and she said no as there was a shortage of staff.

When I pointed out that was not my problem, I got a rude reply. She also refused to summon a manager, as did another who said I should queue up for customer service. By this time I was feeling very tired and noticed that seats were no longer available.

A manager did eventually appear and a till was opened. Other customers tried to get the same service but were denied it.

We are unable to carry the purchases on public transport and thus always used the shop’s taxi service; but this no longer exists, with customers being directed to the free phone in the store. I did not bother to go through the process of trying to find the phone and rang a taxi firm.

Leaving aside our own treatment, it is very worrying that this, and the restricted parking time, seems to be an indication of the shop’s policy towards the disabled.

It would be interesting to know if those in charge had ever discussed the needs of the disabled customers with those who are. I tried to explain the above on their customer service website, but it did not work.

My wife and I are going to shop elsewhere.

MICK FARRANT
Member of Camden
Disability Action, NW5